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Soleirolia soleirolii

mind-your-own-business

S. soleirolii is a wide-creeping evergreen perennial with slender, rooting, pink or green stems bearing tiny rounded leaves and minute pinkish-white flowers in summer

Other common names

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Time to ultimate height, ultimate spread, growing conditions, colour & scent.

• Partial shade

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Drought resistance

Hardiness hardiness ratings.

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

• H1a : under glass all year (>15C)
• H1b : can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
• H1c : can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
• H2 : tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
• H3 : hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
• H4 : hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
• H5 : hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
• H6 : hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
• H7 : hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Soleirolia is a fast-growing, mat-forming perennial with creeping, rooting stems bearing small, rounded leaves and inconspicuous pinkish flowers

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How to grow

Cultivation.

Grow under glass or as a house-plant in a loam-based compost with added grit in full light with shade from hot sun or in partial shade. Water freely in summer but keep just moist in winter. Can be grown outdoors in any soil but has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well and also becomes deciduous in frost prone areas; suitable for use as bedding, including hanging baskets

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

• City and courtyard gardens
• Wildlife gardens
• Mediterranean climate plants
• Low Maintenance
• Banks and slopes
• Underplanting of roses and shrubs
• Ground cover

No pruning required

Generally pest-free

Generally disease-free

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Soleirolia soleirolii

Common name(s):.

• Angel's Tears
• Baby's Tears
• Corsican Carpet
• Japanese Moss
• Mind-Your-Own-Business
• Peace-in-the-Home
• Pollyanna Vine

Previously known as:

• Helxine soleirolii

Angel tears or baby tears is a low-growing ground cover resembling moss that honors Joseph Francois Soleirol, who acquired a large collection of specimens of Corsican plants.  The common name Baby's Tears is derived from the tiny, rounded leaves.  It is in the nettle family.

This creeping perennial ground cover is evergreen in zones 10 above and will die back but rejuvenate in zone 9.   While it can spread up to 6' wide in the garden, as a houseplant, it won't go far.  Not having contact with the soil will limit its spread and it can be pruned as needed.  In warm winter areas, it can be somewhat weedy and difficult to eradicate as any stem pieces left can regrow,

It may be used as a terrarium plant, but over time will crowd out the other terrarium plants.

Ideal conditions include moderate temperatures, high humidity and bright, indirect lighting.  Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. It prefers well-drained fertile moist soils. A wide, shallow pot creates an ideal location for this plant.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:   No serious insect or disease issues.  Aphids, whiteflies, and scale are possible problems.  Once established outdoors, the plant may prove to be difficult to remove.  Even after removing the plant, many small stems are missed and the plant can regenerate.

• 'Aurea' Golden leaves.
• 'Golden Queen' Yellowish leaf margins.
• 'Silver Queen' Silvery-gray foliage.
• 'Variegata' Silvery green variegated foliage.

• Attributes: Genus: Soleirolia Species: soleirolii Family: Urticaceae Uses (Ethnobotany): Ground cover Life Cycle: Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Division Country Or Region Of Origin: W. Mediterranean, Italy, Sardinia and Corsica. Play Value: Easy to Grow Shade Textural Dimensions: Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in. Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
• Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Ground Cover Houseplant Perennial Habit/Form: Cascading Climbing Creeping Dense Horizontal Prostrate Spreading Growth Rate: Rapid Maintenance: High Texture: Fine
• Cultural Conditions: Light: Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Texture: Clay High Organic Matter Loam (Silt) Sand Soil pH: Acid (<6.0) Soil Drainage: Good Drainage Moist Available Space To Plant: 3 feet-6 feet NC Region: Coastal USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
• Fruit: Fruit Type: Achene Fruit Length: < 1 inch Fruit Width: < 1 inch Fruit Description: Ovoid and shiny fruits are enclosed by calyx.
• Flowers: Flower Color: White Flower Inflorescence: Insignificant Flower Bloom Time: Spring Summer Flower Size: < 1 inch Flower Description: The tiny, creamy white flowers in the leaf axils that lack petals and are insignificant.
• Leaves: Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow Green Leaf Feel: Fleshy Leaf Value To Gardener: Showy Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Leaf Shape: Oblong Leaf Margin: Entire Hairs Present: No Leaf Length: < 1 inch Leaf Width: < 1 inch Leaf Description: The shiny, lime green leaves are tiny, only 1/4" diameter. They form a dense ground cover as they spread.
• Stem: Stem Is Aromatic: No Stem Surface: Hairy (pubescent) Stem Description: The many branched, fleshy stems root into the ground as the plant spreads. Spreading in a prostrate form, they have stinging hairs.
• Landscape: Landscape Location: Container Hanging Baskets Patio Rock Wall Vertical Spaces Landscape Theme: Rock Garden Shade Garden Design Feature: Border Mass Planting Resistance To Challenges: Foot Traffic Heavy Shade Humidity Problems: Weedy

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Mind-your-own-business: taming the tenacious plant.

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The weed with a bad rep: Mind-Your-Own-Business. This once popular Victorian plant has racked up a long list of notorious names over the centuries, ranging from Paddy’s Wig to Corsican Creeper due to its instantly recognisable and relentless thick mat.

In this guide, we will discuss the many faces of this disruptive weed, its characteristics, why it can lead to problems, and the various ways to control it in your garden.

Characteristics

Mind-Your-Own-Business ( soleirolia soleirolii ) is a creeping perennial native of Corsica and Sardinia, distinguishable by its branching stems and dense foliage.

It’s a versatile plant of the nettle family, typically used in crazy paving cracks and sculptured over chicken mesh, preferring shade to sun. However, it’s famed for taking hold of soil, creeping through crevices in stone walls and damp spots.

But the plant’s kryptonite is the cold; as a frost-tender weed, it’s sometimes knocked back in severe winters. The issue is, it often recovers the following year.

Why is it a Problem?

Many gardeners love to encourage Mind-Your-Own-Business between cracks in patios, but it can quickly spread to borders, lawns and overstep boundaries. The thin, fleshy stems root as they slowly spread, making them difficult to control.

What’s more, grass clippings that contain stem sections may survive the composting process , causing the weed to further spread around the garden.

The Royal Horticultural Society recommends selecting the right cultivars, maintaining garden hygiene, and promoting natural predators as the first line of defence against the Mind-Your-Business plant.

Here are a few of my personal methods for controlling Mind-Your-Business:

• You should bury Mind-Your-Own-Business in mulch, or hoe it off repeatedly in dry weather, especially around garden borders. It may come back, but doing so should take the string out of its tail.
• In either April or September, remove lawn patches of mind-your-own-business with a trowel. You could also use a hand fork. After removal, re-establish the soil level and re-sow bare patches with grass seed. Another option is to lay a patch of turf taken from elsewhere in the garden.
• Where mind-your-own-business is widespread in lawns, lightly scarify several times during March and April and again during September to weaken it. Feed the lawn regularly to encourage turf vigour and density.

Weedkiller control options

If you’re really struggling to keep Mind-Your-Own-Business at bay with the above methods, your next option might involve using a Glyphosate-based weed killer, such as Roundup Fast Action . It should kill the plant and roots within a single application, but just use it with caution as it can also damage other plants.

How to Tell Mind-Your-Own-Business Apart from Other Plants

Mind-Your-Own-Business is often mistaken for other plants, such as Mazus reptans, a similar-looking creeping perennial native to Japan; and Lysimachia nummularia, also known as Moneywort or Creeping Jenny.

Mind-Your-Own-Business can be distinguished by its small, round leaves and its ability to root at the nodes as it spreads. The golden-leaved form, ‘Aurea’, is the most commonly sold. It bears tiny white flowers in summer, and it forms dense, slowly spreading mats of bright green foliage.

Propagation at Your Peril!

Mind-Your-Own-Business is easy to propagate by division or by taking stem cuttings. It can also be grown from seed, but it can take several years for the seedlings to reach maturity. When planting, be sure to choose a well-drained spot and keep the soil moist. It’s also a good idea to place a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture.

Best Uses in the Garden

Mind-Your-Own-Business is an excellent plant for rock gardens, walled gardens, and steep slopes. It can also be used as a ground cover in shady areas. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could train mind-your-own-business to climb on a trellis or arbor. The golden-leaved form, ‘Aurea’, is particularly attractive when trained as a climber.

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• Soleirolia Soleirolii (Helxine) - Baby Tears

Soleirolia soleirolii

• Location, Water, Humidity & Fertilisation
• Common Issues
• Origins, Temperature, Propagation, Repotting & Toxicity

Need the answer to a specific plant query?  Book a 1-to-1 video call  with THE HOUSEPLANT DOCTOR™, the website's friendly author, to overcome and address your niggling problem! Available on iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger & more.

Top Tips & Info

• Care Difficulty - Easy (When Constantly Hydrated)
• Offer a bright, indirect setting away from any operating heat sources or direct sunlight.
• Keep the soil evenly moist using the bottom-up method of submersion. Allowing excess moisture to sit in the cubbyholes of the foliage may result in rot or southern blight.
• Provide a humid location by  introducing a humidity/pebble tray .
• Fertilise using a 'Houseplant' labelled feed every four waters in the spring and summer, reducing this to every six in the colder months.
• Pests  aren't as much of an issue with Baby Tears, however, have a quick scan for  Aphids  that'll attack the juvenile growths in the spring.
• Repot every three years using a 'Houseplant' potting mix - this is a perfect time to propagate.
• Baby Tears tend to grow more efficiently when situated in shallow, wide pots. Have a search at your nearest garden centre for terracotta bulb bowls that'll be located in the outdoor pot department. Alternatively,  'tot' specimens in a 5cm pot (available at Blue Diamond stores in the U.K.) are perfect for tropical-themed terrariums or displays due to the slow growth habits!

Location & Light -  🔸🔸

Baby Tears will thrive in bright, indirect settings away from intense sunlight or operating heat sources. Specimens located in darker settings must be watered far less than those grown in brighter areas due to the longer amount of time it takes for the soil to dry out. If you're worried about its location being too dark, if a newspaper can be read while having your back towards the light source, you're good to go!

Water -  🔸🔸🔸

The most challenging part of Baby Tears cultivation is providing near-continuous moist soil with the avoidance of persistent droughts; hydrate the plant once every few days to ensure thorough moisture throughout the year. It's highly recommended to irrigate  using the bottom-up method , as excess moisture that settles in the plant's centre could cause the central leaves to rot, leaving you with a naked base.  Under-watering symptoms include  a gradual decline in foliage size, crispy leaves and stunted growth, which are usually due to forgetfulness or too much heat/sunlight.  Over-watering symptoms include  a rotten root ball, lower leaves turning yellow and plant death. Never allow the plant to sit in water for long periods, primarily if it's situated in a shady spot. Prolonged saturation will enable mould to develop on the soil, along with the heightened chance of  root rot . Click on the link to find out more about addressing these issues.

Humidity -  🔸🔸

Saturated air is essential to compliment the longevity of moist soil.  Introduce a pebble tray  to provide a humid, reliable environment for your Baby Tears to thrive in; too dry air will cause its foliage to crisp up, as well as the heightened chance of browning leaf-edges.

Fertilisation -  🔸

Feed every four waters during the growing period and every six in the autumn and winter, using a 'Houseplant' labelled fertiliser . Never apply a 'Ready-to-Pour' feed into the soil without a pre-water beforehand, as the combination of dry compost and harsh chemicals will lead to the burning of roots.

Common Issues with Baby Tears

Under-watering is the biggest issue that gardeners will face.  Typical signs include wilting, sunken or yellowed leaves and stunted growth. If the specimen receives even a hint of direct light - relocate it. The increased temperatures and sun exposure will significantly speed the process of dehydration, which in turn will result in inevitable death. Baby Tears cannot survive in drought-like conditions, so providing a bright, indirect setting with an abundance of moisture is paramount for quality growth. Those situated in direct sunlight or within three metres of a radiator are most likely to suffer from dehydration.

When a specimen is severely dehydrated, most of its leaves will crisp-up and fall off - leaving you with a naked plant.  Although it may spell the end of juvenile plantlets, there may still be light at the end of the tunnel for more established specimens. If its stem is still plump without any signs of retraction, prune-away the severely affected areas and contain the plant (with its pot) in a transparent bag that has small holes. Keep the soil continually moist, providing a good level of indirect light and temperatures above 15°C (59°F). Remove from the bag after two months of solid foliar growth. 

Never situate it within four metres of an operating heat source , for instance a radiator or fireplace. Due to the heightened temperature and dry air, the plant will soak up far more moisture than those situated in cooler locations, increasing the chance of dehydration and browning leaf-tips.

As mentioned before,  botrytis (grey mould) & southern blight  are major threats  among heavy foliage plants when excess moisture is allowed to sit on compacted foliage. Remove the affected areas and improve the growing conditions by situating the plant in a brighter location and keeping the leaves dry.

Too low humidity can cause browning leaf tips with yellow halos.  Although this won't kill your specimen, you may want to increase the local moisture to prevent the new growth from adopting these symptoms. Mist or rinse the foliage from time to time and  create a humidity tray  whilst the heaters are active to create a stable environment for your specimen.

Yellowing lower leaves (closest to soil) are a clear sign of over-watering,  usually caused by too little light. Although they can do well in darker locations, the frequency of irrigations must be reduced to counteract the chance of root rot. People don't realise that a plant's root system needs access to oxygen too; when soil is watered, the air will travel upwards and out of the potting mix. A lack of accessible oxygen for the roots will cause them to subsequently breakdown over the oncoming days.  Click on this link  to learn more about root rot and how to address it, and always feel the pot's weight for confirmation (heaviness = good soil moisture, & vice versa).

Curled leaves and brown leaf-edges are the result of too little water and over-exposure to the sun.  Baby Tears are best located in bright, indirect settings, and those that haven't acclimatised to the harsh rays will show signs of sun-scorch and  environmental shock . A splash of winter sunlight is acceptable as long as the soil moisture is regularly observed, with complete avoidance once summer comes along.

Small flies hovering around your plant is entirely natural and may just indicate you're watering a little too often . Fungus Gnats are a common 'pest' with Baby Tears due to their dependency to reliable soil moisture, but won't pose any risk to the plant's health. Simply replace the top quarter of the plant's potting mix for a fresh batch of 'Houseplant' labelled compost, typical found at most garden centres.

Soleirolia soleirolii,  or Helxine, is a creeping perennial the originates from Italy but has recently been introduced to western parts of South America and Northern Europe. The genus was named by  Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré in the 1830s , honouring botanist Joseph Soleirol who was one of the first to introduce the species to France.  S. soleirolii  was initially classified in the early nineteenth century by Esprit Réquien  (Helxine)  but was eventually overwritten by James Edgar Dandy in 1964.

Temperature

5° - 26°C   (40 °  - 80°F) H1c  (Hardiness Zone 11)  - Can be grown outdoors between late spring and summer throughout most of the UK while nighttime temperatures are above 8℃ (46℉). If you decide to bring the plant outdoors, don't allow it to endure any periods of direct light as it may result in sun-scorch . Regularly keep an eye out for pests , especially when re-introducing back indoors.

Up to 10cm in height and 1m in width once they reach maturity; the ultimate height will take between 2 - 5 years to achieve with 10cm of new growth per season.

Pruning &  Maintenance

Remove yellow or dying leaves, and plant debris to encourage better-growing conditions. While pruning, always use clean scissors or shears to reduce the chance of bacterial and fungal diseases. Never cut through yellowed tissue as this may cause further damage in the likes of diseases or bacterial infections. Remember to make clean incisions as too-damaged wounds may shock the plant, causing weakened growth and a decline in health.

Propagation  

Via Seed or Division.

Division (Easy) - In spring, split the root ball into several sections that house a good amount of foliage and roots. Dividing too-small segments of the rootball could lead to transplant shock or unsuccessful propagation. Sections that are at least 5cm (2 inches) in diameter serve the best chance of propagation due to the stored energy in the roots and stems. Place the sections into 'Houseplant' compost and water regularly, avoiding prolonged sunlight or persistent droughts.

Baby Tears will produce insignificant perennial inflorescences that sport either a pink or white appearance, within the foliage of the plant. The blooming period will last up to a month or two during late spring to early summer.

Repot every three years in spring using a 'Houseplant' labelled compost and the next sized pot with adequate drainage. As Baby Tears are ground creepers, they tend to grow quicker in a wide, shallow pot; visit your local garden centre and search for 'Terracotta Bulb Bowls' which should be on sale all year round. Hydrate the plant 24hrs before tinkering with the roots to prevent the risk of transplant shock. For those that are situated in a darker location, add a thin layer of small grit in the pot's base to improve drainage and downplay over-watering. 

Click here for a detailed step-by-step guide on transplantation, or via this link to learn about repotting with root rot.

Book a 1-to-1 video call  with THE HOUSEPLANT DOCTOR™  if you'd like a personal guide to repotting your houseplant. This will include recommending the right branded-compost and pot size, followed by a live video call whilst you transplant the specimen for step-by-step guidance and answer any further questions!

Pests & Diseases

Although pests aren't usually an issue when cultivating Baby Tears, fungus gnats or aphids may attack weakened specimens with overly moist soil. Common diseases are root rot , botrytis, rust, powdery mildew and southern blight - click here to learn more about these issues.

Not known to be poisonous by consumption of pets and humans. If high quantities are eaten, it may result in vomiting, nausea and a loss of appetite.

Retail Locations

Blue Diamond,  Online Stores.

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Soleirolia Soleirolii (Mind-Your-Own-Business) for Ponds and Water Gardens

• Posted on June 17, 2018

Soleirolia Soleirolii (Mind-Your-Own-Business) for Pond and Water Gardens

Also often listed as Helxine Soleirolii , though mostly known under the common name Mind-Your-Own-Business. This very versatile, moisture-loving plant grows happy in sun, partial and/or full shade. Its many other names include: Baby Tears, Angels Tears, Irish Moss, Bread and Cheese, Friendship Plant, Pollyana Vine, Corsican Carpet, Polly Prim, Paddy’s Wig, Peace in the Home, Corsican Creeper, and  lastly Bits and Pieces.   

This very low-growing mat-forming plant creeps over and around every contour of rocks, stones and logs. It can even be found growing up walls, keeping any architecture under its thousands of tiny, bright green leaves.

Uses in the Water Garden

Mind-Your-Own-Business is one of my favourite  creeping plants; I believe it has a place in almost all water gardens. It is a excellent choice for covering exposed pond liner, as it will stop growing when it meets the water’s edge. It is ideal as a entrance and exit plant for adult and infant Newts, Frogs and Toads. But it is also particularly effective  when grown around formal pond paving and planted throughout rockeries and nooks and crannies.  Fabulous for under and around waterfalls, the plant really come into its own when planted  amongst  Ferns.  Here at Lilies Water Gardens, we also have a popular cultivar called Soleirolia Soleirolii Silver.   For more information and images, please click on the links below.

Soleirolia Soleirolii (species green form)

Soleirolia Soleirolii (silver cultivar)

Visit our online shop www.lilieswatergardens.co.uk or our retail nursery in Surrey to  choose from over 750 pond plants and water garden plants, you will also find all the pond planting accessories and algae treatments to maintain healthy pond plants and healthy pond water.

• Posted in Nature And Wildlife , Plant Health , Plant Profiles , Pond Design And Planting , Uses For Water Plants
• Tags: alpine plants , angels tears plant , aquatic life , aquatic plants , aquatic plants online , baby tears plant , bits and pieces plant , bog gardens , bread and cheese plant , buy pond plants , buying pond plants , buying pond plants near me , corsican carpet plant , corsican creeper plant , creeping plants , deep marginal plants , Encouraging Pond Life , free floating plants , free floating pond plants , friendship plant , Groundcover Plants , Healthy Pond Plants , healthy ponds , helxine soleirolii , how to grow pond plants? , how to plant my pond , irish moss , Marginal Plants , mat forming plants , mind your own business plant , moisture loveing plants , native pond plants , newts , oxygenating plants , oxygenating pond plants , paddys wig plant , peace in the home plant , Planting Marginal Plants , Planting Water Plants , plants for covering pond liner , polly prim plant , pollyana vine plant , pond balance , pond health , pond life , pond plant information , pond plant suppliers , pond planting , pond plants , pond plants for sale UK , pond plants online UK , pond plants UK , pond surround plants , ponds , rockery plants , soleirolia soleirolii , submerged aquatic plants , submerged plants , Water Gardening , water gardens , Water Lilies , water lilies for sale UK , water plants , what is a bog garden plant , what is a pond plant? , what is a water garden plant? , where can i buy oxygenating plants? , where can i buy pond marginal plants? , where can i buy pond plants , where can i buy rockery plants? , where can i buy water garden ferns? , where can i buy water lilies? , wildlife ponds

Mind Your Own Business Plant (Soleirolia Soleirolii)

Soleirolia soleirolii, commonly known as the ‘mind your own business plant’ is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Urticaceae. It is native to rocky areas in the Mediterranean region, where it can be found growing in crevices and on rocks. The plant is cultivated as an ornamental houseplant for its attractive foliage and unique growth habit. This article will provide an overview of this fascinating species; including its physical characteristics, habitat requirements and cultural significance.

Identification

Identifying Mind Your Own Business Plant (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a task that requires careful observation. It is an evergreen perennial plant native to Europe and western Asia. The plant has small leaves with round, scalloped edges and grows in a low-lying rosette shape. Its flowers are small and white and appear in clusters on stems throughout the spring and summer months. Additionally, the plant has an underground rhizome structure which aids in its propagation.

It is important to note that Mind Your Own Business Plant can be confused with other plants due to its similarity in appearance. These include Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia baby’s tears), Corsican Creeper (Ranunculus corsicus), and the common houseplant known as Pilea peperomioides. To distinguish between these species, it is necessary to look closely at the characteristics of each plant; for example, the leaves of Soleirolia soleirolii have a distinct scalloped edge, while Ranunculus corsicus has a more jagged leaf that resembles a serrated knife edge. In addition, Mind Your Own Business Plant has distinctive white flowers that appear from late spring until early summer.

Planting Mind Your Own Business Plant

Due to its hardiness and attractive foliage, this plant has become popular among gardeners of all skill levels. Planting this species can be done in either full sun or partial shade, though it performs best in cool, moist locations. Before beginning, it is important to ensure the soil is well-draining and amended with organic matter such as compost or peat moss.

Once the ideal site has been determined, planting mind your own business should be done during the spring or summer months when the weather is warm and humid. The plants should be spaced 8-10 inches apart and placed shallowly in the ground so that only the very top of the rhizome remains exposed. If desired, a slow-release fertilizer can be applied at this time to encourage growth. To ensure proper moisture levels, mulch can also be added around each plant.

When caring for mind your own business plant, it is essential to provide sufficient water without over-saturating the soil. As with all plants, regular deadheading will help keep plants looking tidy and promote additional blooming. This species does not require much pruning but can benefit from light trimming if needed. With proper care and maintenance, these plants are sure to bring beauty to any garden for years to come.

How To Care For Mind Your Own Business Plant

Mind Your Own Business Plant requires careful attention to thrive in the home garden. Proper care includes appropriate temperature and light levels, adequate water supply, and regular fertilization.

Temperature is important for the health of Mind Your Own Business Plants. They prefer temperatures between 15-23 degrees Celsius. Any temperature lower than 10 degrees Celsius may cause the plant to suffer stress or even die. To help maintain an optimal temperature range, keeping the plant away from any direct drafts or air conditioning vents is recommended. Additionally, providing a humidity tray can help increase moisture in the air around the plant.

Light plays an important role in caring for these plants as well. The ideal spot would be one with bright indirect sunlight for about four hours each day. To ensure that your plant receives enough light but does not become scorched by excessive sun exposure, a windowsill or balcony might be ideal locations for it to grow properly.

Proper watering schedule is also essential for maintaining optimal health in this plant species. Watering should be done thoroughly when soil feels dry to touch; however, avoid over-watering which could lead to root rot and other issues due to excess moisture build-up in soil over time. Additionally, monthly fertilization during growing season can help support healthy leaf development and overall growth of your Mind Your Own Business Plant.

Benefits Of Mind Your Own Business Plant

Mind Your Own Business Plant has a compact, low-growing habit which creates dense mats of foliage with small, round leaves. This plant has a number of benefits that make it a desirable choice for landscaping or as a houseplant.

One of the main advantages of this plant is its ability to thrive in low-light environments. Its variegated leaves can tolerate lower light levels than most other plants, allowing it to be used in darker corners or areas of the home or garden. Additionally, Mind Your Own Business Plant requires little maintenance and will usually only require occasional watering or trimming.

The attractive foliage of this plant also makes it a great choice for adding texture and colour to any space. Its small leaves can be used as ground cover in flower beds or added to containers for an instant splash of colour. Furthermore, its evergreen nature means that it will remain green year-round, providing consistent visual interest even during winter months when other plants may not be blooming.

Mind Your Own Business Plant is an excellent option for creating lush and beautiful landscaping with minimal effort required from the gardener. Its low-maintenance needs, hardiness in low light environments and attractive foliage make it a great choice for any home garden or indoor space.

Pests And Diseases

Despite being relatively easy to care for, this plant can be vulnerable to various pests and diseases. It is important for gardeners and horticulturists to be aware of these potential problems in order to protect their plants.

The most common pest associated with Mind Your Own Business Plant is mealybugs . These small insects have white, waxy bodies and feed on the sap of the plant. This can result in discolouration or yellowing of leaves and stunted growth. To prevent an infestation, it is important to inspect the plant regularly and take action if any mealybugs are present.

In addition to pests, Mind Your Own Business Plant may also be susceptible to fungal diseases such as root rot or powdery mildew. Symptoms include spots or patches on the leaves, wilting foliage, or discoloured stems. It is essential that gardeners provide adequate air circulation around the plant by avoiding overwatering and overcrowding with other plants. Additionally, they should always use clean tools when pruning or repotting the plant in order to avoid spreading disease spores from one plant to another.

Propagation

Propagating Mind Your Own Business Plant is an effective way to expand and diversify their presence in the garden. This can be accomplished by either sowing seeds or dividing the existing plants. The process of sowing seeds requires loose soil and evenly spaced holes, which should be filled with the seeds before being lightly covered with soil. In order to propagate Mind Your Own Business Plants through division, one must carefully dig up the plant in question and divide it into two sections so that each contains a healthy root system. These sections should then be replanted in separate pots that are large enough for them to spread their roots freely.

When propagating Mind Your Own Business Plant, it is important to choose a location that receives partial shade during the day and is protected from extreme weather conditions such as strong winds, heavy rain, and frost. It is also essential to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged; this can be achieved by using a light mulch around the base of the plant once it has been replanted. Additionally, feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer every three weeks will help ensure optimal growth.

Mind Your Own Business Plant propagation offers many advantages such as cost savings as well as having continuous blooms throughout growing season. It also ensures gardeners have more plants to enjoy without having to purchase new ones regularly or wait for them to seed themselves in their gardens. While propagating takes some time and effort, the results can provide long-term beauty and enjoyment within a garden space.

Uses Of Mind Your Own Business Plant

This species can be used in various ways in both indoor and outdoor spaces, thanks to its low-maintenance care requirements.

The first use of this species is as a trailing groundcover. Its creeping stems spread along the soil surface, creating an attractive carpet of foliage in planters or between paving stones. The plant also has a high tolerance for drought and moderate temperatures, making it suitable for planting in sunny areas with good drainage. It can even be used as a lawn alternative since it does not require mowing or weeding to maintain its appearance.

Another use of Soleirolia soleirolii is as part of a green wall or vertical garden. When planted in containers hung from walls, it can cover large surfaces with its trailing foliage, adding texture and colour to any space without taking up too much space. In addition, it requires very little irrigation compared to other plants making it ideal for locations where water conservation is important.

In addition to these uses, Mind Your Own Business plants are also popular houseplants that add beauty and texture indoors while requiring minimal maintenance. Their growth habit makes them ideal for hanging baskets or windowsills where they will cascade down elegantly over time. They do best in bright indirect light but will tolerate some shade if needed. Regular watering during their active growing season helps keep them looking their best year round.

Interesting Facts About Mind Your Own Business Plant

In addition to its many benefits, there are some interesting facts about this species that make it unique among other plants.

• Firstly, the Mind Your Own Business Plant is extremely tolerant of low light conditions and can thrive in dry soil. This makes it a great option for those seeking an easy-care houseplant or a container garden.
• Moreover, its shallow root structure allows it to be easily pulled up or replanted should the need arise.
• Furthermore, this species is able to self-propagate through stolons which grow along the surface of the soil and form new plants.
• This plant’s name comes from its ability to spread rapidly via underground runners.
• The dense growth of this species can choke out weeds and other plants in the garden making it very useful in landscaping projects.
• Additionally, its foliage produces a mild aroma when touched that many find pleasant and soothing.
• Finally, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, extracts from this plant have been used in traditional medicine for treating skin rashes and itchiness caused by insect bites or allergies.

The Mind Your Own Business Plant offers numerous advantages both aesthetically and medicinally making it an attractive choice for gardeners looking for a low maintenance species with multiple uses. Its tolerance of different environmental conditions makes it suitable for various settings; while its ability to self propagate ensures an abundant supply of new plants for future generations of gardeners to enjoy.

Harvesting Mind Your Own Business Plant

Harvesting Mind Your Own Business plant (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a relatively simple process. The first step is to choose which leaves or stems to cut from the plant, ensuring that at least one-third remains intact in order to promote continued growth. Care must be taken when removing the foliage, as the stems and leaves are quite fragile and easily damaged. With each cutting, it is important to use sharp scissors or pruning shears and make a clean cut just above a leaf node. After harvesting, the plants should be placed in indirect sunlight in an area with good air circulation until they are ready for replanting.

When selecting pots for replanting, it is best to use shallow ones with sufficient drainage holes. To ensure proper drainage of water, it is also recommended to add a layer of gravel at the bottom of the pot before adding soil. When planting, keep in mind that Mind Your Own Business plants prefer partial shade and moist soil conditions; therefore, avoid direct sun exposure and overwatering. For optimal growth, provide between 2-3 inches of organic compost or peat moss mixed into well-draining potting soil.

Once planted, Mind Your Own Business plants require minimal maintenance but should be monitored regularly for signs of disease or pests such as mealybugs or aphids. If any of these occur, apply safe insecticides as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the plant. Additionally, regular pruning will help encourage bushier growth and maintain a healthy looking plant overall. With proper care and attention, harvested Mind Your Own Business plants can thrive indoors or outdoors for many years to come.

Mind Your Own Business Plant (soleirolia soleirolii) is a hardy and low-maintenance houseplant that can thrive in a wide range of conditions. It is an attractive addition to any living space due to its lush foliage and dainty flowers. The plant can be found in garden centres and nurseries or online. When planting this species, it’s important to provide good drainage and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Proper care includes periodic trimming of the foliage and removal of dead leaves.

Propagation of Mind Your Own Business can be done by dividing the plant or taking stem cuttings. This species has many uses as an indoor ornamental, groundcover, or in terrariums.

Additionally, there are some interesting facts about Mind Your Business Plant such as its ability to form symbiotic relationships with fungi that help it absorb water from the air when soil moisture levels are low.

Finally, harvesting is possible if desired by cutting leaves or stems for use in floral arrangements or other projects. In conclusion, Mind your Own Business Plant is a great choice for any home or garden due to its ease of care and versatility as a houseplant, groundcover, or terrarium specimen.

Ash is a contributing author who has been writing about wildlife for as long as he can remember. He has a vast knowledge of many different types of animals, from the tiniest shrews to the great whales that live in the deepest oceans.

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Mind Your Own Business

Soleirolia soleirolii

• Forms a carpet of tiny green leaves just a few inches tall.
• A lovely ground cover plant and particularly pretty when used for edging paths.

Supplied as a clump grown in a 7cm pot.

Description

The plant with so many common names - Paddy's Wig, Corsican Creeper, Friendship Plant, Bread and Cheese, Baby's Tears, Paddy's Tears, The Pollyanna Vine - the list is endless.

A Victorian favourite that has all but been lost from cultivation, it always graced the edges of Victorian conservatory benches in a foil of neat bright green leaves to drape the edges.

It can also be planted in cracks in crazy paving outside as well as cleverly sculptured over a chicken mesh 'framing' packed with suitable growing media. Extremely versatile.

• Grows to approximately 4" (10 cm) tall.
• Has an indefinite spread.
• Prefers shade to full sun.
• Plant 12" (30 cm) apart.
• Frost tender - so in severe winters can be 'knocked back' drastically, but invariably recovers the following year.

How To Plant Out Ornamentals Detailed advice on how to plant out ornamentals, including information on recommended planting distances.

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Soleirolia Species, Angel's Tears, Baby's Tears, Mind-Your-Own-Business, Mother of Thousands

Soleirolia soleirolii.

Unknown - Tell us

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Jones, Alabama

Arroyo Grande, California

Bolinas, California

Capitola, California

Clayton, California

Emeryville, California

Fairfield, California

Fremont, California

GARBERVILLE, California

Knights Landing, California

Long Beach, California

Los Angeles, California

Merced, California

Monterey, California

NORTH FORK, California

Napa, California

Pleasanton, California

Salinas, California

San Francisco, California

Vallejo, California

Bartow, Florida

Saint Cloud, Florida

Haleiwa, Hawaii

Urbana, Illinois

Saline, Michigan

Henderson, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Hackettstown, New Jersey

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Kingston, Oklahoma

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Westerly, Rhode Island

Anahuac, Texas

Lake Jackson, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Lake Forest Park, Washington

Puyallup, Washington

Spokane, Washington

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Gardener's notes:.

OK, it is beautiful etc etc unless you have spent a lot of money on water-wise hardscape! So it keeps crawling all over my river rocks, t ...Read More hen it dies. But I found a way! OK, this is only for people that have time and a lot of patience... So I remove the largest portion I can by hand, careful to throw it in the compost right away, then steam-kill the rest. The little leaves and roots are gone and possibly some germinating seeds, but nothing else is disturbed. No chemicals, just a LOT of patience. Sort of like getting rid of greyscale (if you don't know what that is you are better off). I use a little steamer meant for cleaning things, just one little spout with no particular attachment (I don't really want to go deep and kill earthworms). Five-ten seconds of contact, gone! You won't really see the great results for 24 hrs. Of course it requires you check and keep it up every few days at first, but it will be gone!

I planted this on my wife's grave and it seems to be doing well, despite the cemetery being in zone 17. I have to laugh ...Read More at how many people posting here characterized baby's tears as an invasive nuisance that can't be killed, but then admitted that it's attractive. Maybe the solution for them isn't to try to eradicate it, but to learn to love it. Personally, I think it beats any grass lawn and is even preferable to (and apparently hardier than) dichondra.

I don't grow this plant, I daren't grow this plant as it is extremely invasive.. it has already escape cultivation around here, and it ca ...Read More n be seen cloaking the shady, damp rock faces in the lower part of our town (photo attached). That said it is a fairly attractive groundcover plant, or as a substitute for grass, if able to be contained.

This is a question in response to Nhulberg posting of 11/29/09 regarding the control of Baby's Tears. There is no information on how muc ...Read More h sulfate of ammonia to mix in a 2 gallon sprayer. The 20 pound bag I purchased from OSH only give instructions for spreading the ammonia sulfate on lawns and shrubs. Does anyone have proportion mixing instructions for a much smaller area or a 2 gallon sprayer?

Hi, I live in the UK (in the suburbs of Greater London) & am really grateful for the plant Mind Your Own Business in the shady areas of o ...Read More ur garden where grass struggles to grow. Its so much tidier than grass, needs very little mowing, reminds me of curly hair as opposed to grass which reminds me of straight hair. When in Paris, France, we stayed at a hotel which had an inner courtyard garden where Mind Your Own Business was grown instead of grass with the flower beds planted with Busy Lizzies. I thought it looked beautiful. If only Mind your Own Business would grow in less shady areas, I would trade my grass lawn for a Mind Your Own Business Lawn!

This plant is my worst nuiusance. My area is generally damp and mild so presumanbly ideal growing conditions for this plant. So it spread ...Read More s everywhere and I am convinced that it has smothered some of my favourite prennnials. When it reaches the lawn it spreads and smothers the grass so that if I weed it out it leaves bare patches. Television gardening experts say that it can be controlled in lawns by digging up the lawn and reseeding. It also regenerates after weedkiller. And yet, I have just returned from a garden shop selling pots of it. I use a professional lawn treatment company and they refuse to treat a lawn badly affected by this plant. I note the positive comments on the site generally come from extreme climatic areas such as Seattle or Nevada or where it has been seen or grown indoors. I recommend to all gardeners in mild damp areas to avoid this pest with determination. Stronger than that, avoid at all costs!

i keep this plant as a hanging basket. the colors are very pretty, and as the basket has filled out, i've enjoyed it taking on the look o ...Read More f a "bad hair day." after reading how invasive it is, i doubt i'll ever plant it in the ground. i like it in the hanging basket better anyways. =)

I love the texture and cool feel. There is not enough water here in the Sierra Foothills for it to be invasive, so there is only a patch ...Read More under my faucet.

Evil plant. Ranks right up there with Oenothera, Pampas grass, Scotch broom and other plants that LOOK niche at first, but then the sprea ...Read More d, and spread. You can't get rid of it. As other posters said, it needs a constantly moist enviornment. But, mine has that...now I can't get rid of it. Years ago I reduced my baby's tears by 90% by applying aluminum sulfate. I just hunted down this advice from longtime garden writer Bob Chapman on OSH.com: "Baby's Tears invading gardens This low growing invasive plant is difficult to control. As powerful an herbicide as Roundup is it won't faze baby's tears. Finale, another effective herbicide, will kill baby's tears. Finale can be purchased online at Biconet.com if not available locally. A word of caution: Finale will harm all desirable vegetation so protect against spray drift when spraying by placing a barrier of cardboard or plywood between the desired plants and the baby's tears. Do your spraying in the morning to lessen the chance of spray drift. An inexpensive way to kill baby's tears is by mixing sulfate of ammonia and water in a two-gallon sprinkler can with an attached nozzle and sprinkling this solution on the leaves. Sulfate of ammonia is an inexpensive (about $3), quick-acting source of nitrogen and is sold in twenty-pound bags. "

I grew this plant years ago indoors in a small pot. It was beautiful and did very well. I hope to have another pot of it sometime soon ...Read More as I left that one behind at a previous job by accident.

I first discovered baby's tears at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. There they have what they call a courtyard (but it has ...Read More a glass roof, so I would call it an atrium). Anyway, in this wonderful courtyard there is a beautiful carpet of baby's tears as ground cover, with statuary and broken statuary on top. Absolutely gorgeous. Really contrasts nicely with the statuary and since it's so fine textured it doesn't detract from the art. I've loved it ever since. Nothing like it in the right spot.

It's a cute plant, and also it is one of the few plants in the Urticaceae that we grow in our gardens, so it is said that it is one of th ...Read More e few plants that Red Admirals (butterfly species) can use to lay their eggs. I;ve never see any larvae on it, though. It basically likes shade. It will take some sun in this area, but if it gets too dry it dies back (but returns when the rains start.) But as a perennial plant lover I hate this plant. Once it gets started, it spreads like mad and once it is established you can't get rid of it -- and it covers thicker and thicker so no other plants get anything you might apply to the soil surface. As others have noted, nothing kills it. I have tried Roundup and iron. Came back every time. Ammonium Sulfate didn't seem to do much either. Youall who think it's beautirul, be warned! By the time you realize you would rather not have it, or you want less of it, it will be too late! You won't be able to get rid of it, ever. Oh, you might decrease it a bit. It might seem to die back. But it will come back when times are good. It looks beautiful in an area with established woody plants where you don't want to grow anything else and don't want to fertilize (because obviously it will gobble up all the fertilizer before it gets to any other plants, since its roots cover the surface of the ground). It will keep out weeds very well if it gets deep enough. It also builds up around the bases of the plants so you have to pull it off if they are susceptible to moisture around the root zone. Oh one last thing, an instructor I had for a ground cover course once, many many years ago told us that if you want to "seed" this plant over an area, just pull some up, chop it up with a razor blade, and sprinkle it over the area where you want it. In other words, it can sprout from leaves or pieces of them. So if you are trying to get rid of it, watch what you do with the plants you root or pull out! (Though I admit I have never tried seeding it as described.) This info is based on 20 yrs experience as a professional gardener in a wide variety of gardens in the SanFrancisco Bay area.

I liked this plant, it took me a while to grow it but when it did it wouldn't stop. As long as it had plenty of water.

On and off for ten years, I've tried to grow Baby's Tears in various areas of Victoria, Australia (9b). I'd tried everything from buying ...Read More a healthy potted plant from a nursery, to taking a cutting from friends who have it growing like wildfire in their own gardens. Without fail, it would die on me within a week or two. Finally, after some research here on Dave's Garden as to its optimal conditions, I managed to save my current plant on the very verge of death, and now it's slowly sprouting up healthy new growth, and looking like it's going to become a strong healthy plant very soon. I never realized how very picky this plant can be - take heed where it says this plant should NEVER be left to dry out! I now leave this pot sitting in an inch of water in a soft shady spot, and it's the best thing I've ever done for it. Sun, heat, and dryness spell instant death for Baby's Tears!

Hi! Ive been growing this growndcover for about six years now. I bought it in Seattle, having no idea what it was or how to take care o ...Read More f it. Ive since found out that this plant isnt exactly hardy in my area (I live in zone 5); but im able to grow it anyway. It is in a sheltered site by the foundation of my house. It looks dead once the ground thaws out here, but emerges later in the spring. I have, so far, not found this plant invasive, but this could be just because I live in a colder zone.

I would not reccommend this plant. I have no idea where it came from but it is spreading all over my yard. It is impossible to kill as ...Read More the little root runners form a dense mat. This plant is impossible to pull up as well due to the thick mat of roots. It takes over your grass as well as your garden. Several days ago I used round up and the plant looks unaffected. It is pretty! However I can't come up with anywhere I'd want it to grow.

I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and had 3 flats of Baby Tears setting on the north side of my house for a couple of years. I was originally ...Read More told they do not grow in Las Vegas, After three years they had spread and did just what I wanted. The last couple of years they have been dying out. The thatch that is left will not come back. Do I need to remove the old thatch to try to get them to come back? The soil in spots is clay like, in others it is sandy. I have added peat moss to the sandy spots to help hold the moisture, which did seem to help some. During the summer I water it once a day with the hose and the sprinkler system waters twice a day (mornings),. In the winter, I water every other day. It has not invaded my grass because the sun is too hot. What do I need to do to make this come back? It will not grow under a China Berry tree. I think the tree draws all the water out of the soil. That is the spot where the peat moss helped some.

Makes a great ground cover around the base of larger houseplants such as Ficus benjamina but it does get crushed easily (found one of my ...Read More cats liked to lay in it - probably 'cause it was cool in summer). I've got one in a large planter outside, near the house, & it's stayed green & lush all winter without freezing (zone 7b). It would make a good ground cover as long as it wasn't trod on.

I live in an apartment and this plant is so beautiful indoors. There was no information with the plant when I got it so I had to experime ...Read More nt to see what it prefered and what it did not. It almost died but I found that it likes lots of light and lots of water as well as a good misting. My problem is that it is now fall and I noticed it seems to be reacting to the weather, with lots of dead and dying foliage. I just cut it back pretty far, hopefully it will be ok. has anybody had a similar experience?

Possible solution to invasive Soleirolia (Helxine) soleirolii: I moved onto property in Monterey, California three years ago and discove ...Read More red that my lawn was invaded by very healthy looking Baby Tears. This lawn is moderately shady and composed mostly of bluegrass, a poor choice for California. I shopped the local nurseries and websites for a solution, and nothing suggested worked, including Ortho WeedBGone (broadleaf killer Mecoprop, et al.), MossOut (Iron suggestion never made sense to me, since "Irish Moss" isn't moss), Roundup (killed the grass of course, but the Baby Tears thrived), and digging out the sod and replacing about twelve rolls (came back in various places, in spite of the fact that I cut out margins of up to one foot on all sides). Then for some reason I tried triclopyr (Ortho BrushBGone for poison ivy/oak) and surprisingly it killed the Baby Tears very quickly with no harm to the grass, but unfortunately many months later it started appearing again in the area treated. I have since moved from this property, and do not know if further treatment with triclopyr would have helped. If so, I would be disappointed that I wasted so much labor, and puzzled that a chemical marketed for woody plants might work on this delicate little thing that nothing else kills. By the way, I suspect that this was planted at one time adjacent to the lawn, but wasn't adequately watered there, but thrived in the watered lawn. So for those who successfully grow this pretty little plant, I cannot report for sure whether there is a chemical to spray if it starts invading your grass. [I have no financial interest in Ortho or any other chemical or gardening company.]

I really hate this plant- it's taking over our garden (Midlands, UK), and I can't kill it! Not without destroying all of the plants I wan ...Read More t to keep, anyway. It even grows over the top of mulch membrane. The only good thing is that it is quite pretty and even. I'd prefer corsican mint, though.

I seriously thought that this pernicious little invader was some form of Speedwell. I live on the South Wales Coast and th ...Read More is plant is slowly taking over the town. John Howley ps - Apparently this little blighter is edible - anyone heard about that? J

I am growing this plant in a container. I find it to be ever so easy to maintain. Like others have said it grows great in shady area's ...Read More or low sun light,and keeping moist is important. I keep it outdoors but when we are going to have downpours I bring it inside because it is in a container that houses my hens &chick. I plan on bringing it in for the winter and transplanting some of it to other containers. I love that it is invasive.

These we always growing in my grandmother's garden under her back porch. They flourished in the shade. They can tolerate the heat but t ...Read More hey have to be moist which can be some work. But they look so wonderful between flagstone steps leading into your secret garden and so cool and soft on bare feet on a hot summer's day.

This plant grows well as ground cover in shade, in my garden here in Denmark (northern Europe), zone 7. The tiny leaves di ...Read More es back after the first severe frost nights in autumn, but grows back in spring. This winter (2003/2004), this ground cover plant survived 10 degrees F (-12C) unprotected, and an average temperature in january/february of 34/30 F(1/-1 C) with no trouble at all.

We love our baby tears, they are planted at the bottom of our palms in giant pots, the baby tears drip over the side in a cascade of soft ...Read More green drapery.

I picked up this plant at Home Depot because I wanted a hanging basket plant for my shaded front porch. No one seemed to know anything a ...Read More bout it except it's name. I took it home and hung it up by my front door, where it has florished with very little intervention from me (except watering a couple times a week). A bird built it's nest in it, and even though it has had the constant traffic of a mamma bird and two squirmy, active baby birds, it has held up surprisingly well. A great plant for someone who does not have a lot of time to invest in pruning or maintaining a plant but wants something that looks like they did!

I have read that this makes a good houseplant, and would like to try it. But I can't find it anywhere around here (Central Florida). Any ...Read More ideas on where I can find this? And has anyone else tried it as as indoor plant?

Edgewood, Washington Baby tears make a great ground cover under larger plants. I have it in planters on the deck to keep the soil ...Read More from splashing out when I water the plants in them. It also is growing around the deck and around the koi pond. It is a maintainence free plant, to cover larger areas set a potted baby's tears down and it will soon be overflowing onto the soil. Lift the pot and repeat, in no time you will have the area where you want it covered and it only cost you one 4 inch pot. Plant is very hardy, it has survived our winters here even when the ground has snow and layers of ice on it. Will look like it is gone, but come Spring it will reappear just a lush as ever. Personally I love this plant, it gives a nice established look to new gardens by the way it will cover the stones and edging of your garden.

I love my babys tears. I was only watering it once a week like my other plants when it started to die I decied to water more often. Now ...Read More I water every day. I do not plan to put this in my garden now that I know that is spreads so wildly. But I will have a container of it in the garden. Maybe in my bird feeder. We have very humid summers here and I think it will do well.

In the early fall, I finally planted my 5 small clumps of Baby's Tears [one died when I forgot to water them in the hot summer] after mon ...Read More ths of caring for them in their original container. I put them on the north side of a built-up, man-made, shady creek area, in heavy clay soil with just a tad of gardening soil. I can't believe they survived. They are starting to spread [which I WANT them to do] and even have wee, almost microscopic flowers. It sounds like I'm one of the few who wouldn't mind if they became invasive, though.

This plant grows wonderfully in the shade around my pond in the Seattle area. I would like it to do what it does at the local nursery-- d ...Read More rape out over the edge of the black pond liner, and disguise it. I am trying to find it in seed so that I can fill in some small areas which have not done well with potted versions.

I just bought baby's tears, and planted chunks under my back porch---but I have no clue how to take care of this plant or if I even did t ...Read More he right thing. The natural soil is very clay (heavy) so I mixed it 50/50 with planting soil but it seems very heavy and cement-like still. I don't want it to die on me.

This is the most INVASIVE plant I own, and I'd like to find a way to control or kill it. It's so fragile, when I try to pull it out, the ...Read More stems break and the roots stay. (Just like weeds!) My mom says she can't grow this plant, but I have planters full of it.

Good groundcover for shady, badly-drained clay soil - spreads almost explosively despite the poor conditions. I put a 4" pot of it there ...Read More and forgot about it, so it simply climbed out of the pot and established itself.

A nice undercover for shady area. Does not handle traffic. Can be invasive - spreads from pieces of stem. Freezes to a black mush, but re ...Read More adily comes back.

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Home » Mind-your-own-business (Soleirolia soleirolii)

Mind-your-own-business (Soleirolia soleirolii)

Mind-your-own-business ( Soleirolia soleirolii ) is a very small, but troublesome perennial lawn weed. It can become very difficult to control if allowed to spread onto a lawn. It often begins to grow in a shady, damp corner and easily spreads into the grass.

The latin name  soleirolia   literally means “one species” and the plant also has a latin synonym Helxine soleirolii . It is also called baby’s tears, angels tears, mother-of-thousands ( in the USA ), irish moss (although mind-your-own-business is not a moss) and the Corsican curse. Soleirolia is a genus in the  Urticaceae  family of flowering plants, more commonly known as nettles.

It is very common throughout the UK and Europe, originating from the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Mind-your-own-business can be a very decorative plant in the garden. Inhabiting cracks and crevices at the edges of of paths, softening hard landscaping and bringing a natural feel to cottage gardens. It seeds itself easily, spreads quickly and can regenerate from small pieces of stem left in the soil ( vegetative reproduction ). This is why the plant can be difficult to eradicate if allowed to spread into other areas of the garden.

How to identify mind-your-own-business weed

Mind-your-own-business (MYOB) is a small ground cover weed. It only grows up to 5cm (2 inches) high, well below mowing height of a normal lawn. Its numerous dark green leaves are round and only a few millimetres in diameter. It does flower, but the flowers are tiny and the seeds are microscopic. Most often it appears as a dense mat of plants.

In the UK, it generally stays green and grows all year round. Foliage may sometimes die back in very cold winters, but quickly grows again once warm weather returns. Most sources concur that it prefers damp conditions and even grows in swamps. In England it grows in damp, shady corners.

The only way to control the weed without the use of chemicals is by hand weeding. Care must be take to remove as much as the plant as possible, as any left in the soil will grow a new plant. Re-visiting the area and clearing any re-growth will keep it in check effectively.

Mind-your-own-business is resistant to all known selective weedkillers, including those used by professional lawn care businesses. A strong total-kill weedkiller containing glyphosate can kill it, and damaging the plants by crushing or mowing will improve the effectiveness of the weedkiller. Note though that glyphosate WILL KILL GRASS AND OTHER PLANTS, so care of use is very much recommended. If using the total-kill method, you can sow new grass straight away. When re-seeding grass, be vigilant that MYOB is not re-sprouting in the area as the new grass is coming through.

If you have a problem with this troublesome weed in your lawn and live in the Exeter area, get in touch and I will be happy to advise.

Further reading

• Royal Horticultural Society
• Wikipedia – Soleirolia
• BBC Plant Finder
• Guide to houseplants – Growing Baby’s tears in a pot
• GardenersWorld.com – Soleirolia soleirolii

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5 thoughts on “ Mind-your-own-business (Soleirolia soleirolii) ”

Hi I’ve got mind your own business in my lawn and surrounding areas do you Nowhere I can buy the stuff to kill it thanks

Sorry, it is resistant to herbicides.

I have got some MYOB in my lawn and would love to know how to get rid ok it any advice many thanks Allan Mac

Baby Tears in lawns its a nuisance , I have found a watered on dose of Iron Sulphate or ferrous Sulphate has the desired effect, up the dose until until it goes blackish . It does not affect the grass just makes it greener. It is usually used around acid loving plants so be careful where you put it..

Thanks for the tip. I will see if that works.

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